It’s almost time for summer vacation! Wherever your travel plans take you this season, give your feet a break by following the suggestions below for a fun and healthy trip.

Start Smart: Taking care of your feet on the way to vacation is the first step to ensuring a healthy trip. Choose comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for travel day. If you have a long car or airplane ride, plan to stop or get up regularly to stretch and get the blood flowing to your legs and feet. If you have a condition like diabetes that causes poor circulation, you may want to wear compression socks.

Pack the Right Shoes: While having new shoes for your vacation may be fun, it’s not wise to break in new shoes on a trip. Wear them a while before you go, and if your podiatrist has prescribed a custom orthotic, bring it with you. Make sure you have shoes that are appropriate for all the activities you’ll be doing. Don’t try to save space in your suitcase by expecting your tennis shoes to work for hiking or flip-flops to fill in for your sandals on shopping day.

Avoid Lobster Feet: You may enjoy eating lobster on vacation but will not be happy if your feet look like one due to sunburn. Burnt and blistered feet can ruin your summer fun. If the skin on your feet is going to be exposed to the sun (even if you’re out to lunch or sight-seeing), be sure to apply a water-resistant sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 to the tops of your feet and the bottoms too if you’re at the beach or pool. Reapply every two hours or after swimming.

Avoid fungal infections. Don’t bring home an unwanted souvenir of athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, or warts. These infections are all transmitted directly, so avoid walking barefoot in public places on vacation, such as pool decks, changing areas, and restrooms.

Foot-Friendly Pack List
A few small items in your suitcase can make a big difference in dealing with minor foot discomfot while you’re away. Include:

• Moleskin to prevent blisters
• Nail clippers and emery board
• Bandages and anti-bacterial ointment
• Water bottle – it will decrease the risk of foot swellingWhen you return, follow up with your podiatrist if you notice any unusual rashes on your feet or if you begin to experience new foot or ankle pain.

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Serving Southwest Florida Since 2005, Family Foot & Leg Center has 9 convenient locations throughout Collier, Lee, Charlotte, and Sarasota Counties. Offering pediatric to geriatric family care: Ingrown Toenails, Heel Pain, Bunions, Foot / Ankle Arthritis Pain, Plantar Fasciitis, Foot / Ankle Surgery, Custom Orthotics, and Diabetic Wound Care. In office X-rays, ultrasounds, and minor surgical suite exam rooms. Practice powered by EMR and advanced technologies. Home of the Lam Minimal Invasive No-Scar Bunion Surgery! Come Discover Why Patients Love Our 5-Star Foot & Ankle Care! Same Day Appointments! Easy Online Appointment Scheduling!